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put pressure on opposing quarterbacks or the linebackers and
defensive backs will be under enormous pressure to produce.
Linebacker Jason Worilds led the Steelers with eight sacks last
season but has been bothered by a calf injury. He’ll need to come
back strong and help lead the defense once again. Depth is an
issue throughout the defense—something the Steelers hadn’t
dealt with in the past. But consecutive 8-8 seasons are proof that
an upgrade was needed at all positions on defense. The Steelers
gave up 115.6 rushing yards per game last season and they had to
make some changes. Nose tackle Steve McLendon is a key on the
line and first-round pick Ryan Shazier, an inside linebacker, could
potentially make an immediate impact as a rookie. Pittsburgh
has always been stellar stopping the run, but last season was a
struggle. If the Steelers prove it was an aberration, success should
follow. The Steelers have won a plethora of games by having
incredible strength on the defensive line. Pittsburgh added Joey
Porter as a defensive assistant coach. Porter, who had 60 career
sacks with the Steelers, has been working with all the players,
most notably 2013 first round pick Jarvis Jones. As a rookie,
Jones had one sack despite an ultra-successful college career
at Georgia, which included 28 sacks in his final two seasons. If
Porter can get Jones to improve mightily from last season, the
Steelers’ defense will receive a huge bonus. This team has won
games on defense in the past. To be successful in ’14, the defense
must step up in a big way.
Defensive Player to Watch
Troy Polamalu recently turned 33 yet he was able to play
every snap last season. Along the way, the veteran safety
accumulated 85 tackles, two interceptions and five forced
fumbles. During a stellar career with the Steelers, Polamalu has
710 tackles, 32 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles. Polamalu
won The Associated Press’ defensive player of the year award
in 2010, and he still has plenty left to give. Polamalu recently
signed a three-year extension to remain with the Steelers, and
while he’s not the same player he used to be, he can still function
at an extremely high level. Polamalu’s leadership skills will be
even more important on a retooled team. The Steelers are lacking
All-Pro players on defense and they’ll need every ounce of
Polamalu’s talent and leadership.
Steelers Special Teams
There are so many question marks on special teams,
especially in the punt return department. Rookie Dri Archer has
emerged as a potential player here, but that’s a lot of pressure for
a rookie. In terms of kick return coverage, Arthur Moats should
make a difference. Kicker Shaun Suisham was one of the Steelers’
most consistent players last season, going 30-for-32 on field goals
and 39-for-39 on extra points. Suisham was 8-for-8 from 40-to-49
yards and he didn’t attempt one field goal from 50 yards and
beyond. When the Steelers needed a big kick, Suisham came
through. Punter Brad Wing will need to find more consistency
and place the ball inside the 20-yard line more often. If the
kick and punt coverage units perform well, the Steelers will
gain big dividends.
Prediction
An 8-8 season came together with a strong second half. The
Steelers can’t afford to get off to another slow start. If they can
string together some victories in the first half of the ’14 season,
a playoff berth could be on the horizon. Finishing above .500 is
certainly attainable but hardly a sure thing.
SCOREBOARD
2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
PLAYOFF FINISH - - WC SB -
REGULAR SEASON W-L 8-8 8-8 12-4 12-4 9-7
POINTS PER GAME 23.6 21.0 20.3 23.4 23.0
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME 23.1 19.6 14.1 14.5 20.2
YARDS PER GAME 337.5 332.7 372.3 345.3 371.3
YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME 337.6 275.8 271.7 276.8 305.3
TURNOVERS 24 29 28 17 23
TAKEAWAYS 20 20 15 35 22
Key Additions:
RB LeGarrette Blount, S Mike Mitchell
Key Subtractions:
WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Jerricho Cotchery, RB Jonathan Dwyer
Rookies:
LB Ryan Shazier, DE Stephon Tuitt, RB Dri Archer, WR Martavis
Bryant, CB Shaquille Richardson, OL Wesley Johnson, LB Jordan
Zumwalt, DR Daniel McCullers, TE Rob Branchflower
Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu
THEARON W. HENDERSON/GETTY IMAGES SPORT